Module 4 | From Nagarjuna to Heisenberg, and back

Introduction

How can the insights arising from meditation and contemplation complement our scientific understanding of reality? In this fourth module we explore how both Buddhism and modern science point to an understanding of reality as both dynamic and interdependent. This contrasts with how we see our everyday experience where people and object appear as solid, (relatively) unchanging, and existing independently from each other. This module explores the connections between quantum mechanics and Buddhist philosophy through a dialogue between Geshe Tenzin Namdak, a renowned Buddhist scholar, and Prof. Carlo Rovelli, one of the foremost living theoretical physicists. The dialogue explores the connections between modern physics and the worldview of ancient Buddhist contemplatives, drawing from the philosophy of Nāgārjuna (c. 150 – c. 250 CE), an Indian scholar who laid the foundations of the Madhyamaka (or ‘Middle Way’) school of Buddhism. Clarifying the Buddha’s teachings on emptiness and dependent origination, Nagarjuna argued that reality has no fundamental ground, as all phenomena exist in a state of interdependence. This ‘radical relativity’ – the emptiness of any inherent or independent entity – is, according to Nagarjuna, the ultimate reality. In this module, you will learn how Nagarjuna’s insights can help us to better understand the physical world and the mysterious behaviour of quantum phenomena.

Lesson 1

This lesson explores Dr. Carlo Rovelli’s relational interpretation of quantum mechanics and how Nagarjuna’s teachings on the nature of emptiness are relevant to modern physics. This lesson also includes an explanation of the three levels of dependent origination and the relationship between the observer and what is observed.

Lesson 2

This lesson begins with an explanation of the differences between quantum and classical models of reality, discussing how to overcome bias by more accurate and realistic worldviews. You will learn the difference between conventional reality and the Buddhist view of conventional reality, juxtaposed with scientific discourse on the nature of reality.

Lecture Notes

We recommend reading the lecture notes before you start watching the content. This will help you to start contemplating some of the topics before you begin to watch the lecture.

Download Module 4 Lecture Notes